WINTERING BEES. 215 



a result of this, bees do not really hybernate, or 

 even become dormant. When cold is very intense, 

 they maintain a constant tremulous motion, as if 

 they knew that the expenditure of muscular fibre 

 would, by the consequent oxygenation, cause the 

 evolution of heat ; or, as if cognisant of the most 

 modern theories of "heat as. a mode of motion," 

 they were aware that the very flapping of their 

 wings would tend to raise the temperature of their 

 dwelling. 



A bee is chilled by a less degree of warmth than 

 50° Fahr. ; and if actually frozen, or exposed to cold 

 at or near the freezing point of water, it cannot be 

 revived. These facts have a very important bearing 

 on the art of apiculture. For, in the first place, it 

 may easily be understood that, if bees are tempted 

 abroad by sunshine in winter, or when a bitter wind 

 is blowing, they may perish by hundreds, through 

 becoming torpid with cold while resting a few 

 minutes in some shade, or by being chilled in the un- 

 genial air. For this reason it is advisable to shelter 

 hives from the mid-day and afternoon sun, as the 

 danger just alluded to increases with the lateness of 

 the hour at which the bees may be enticed abroad 

 by the sunshine. 



Then, secondly, it must be remembered that, as 

 the bees are animate all through the winter, a con- 

 stant consumption of stores is going on, and that 

 disastrous consequences may ensue from mistaken 

 notions as to their remaining torpid, and needing 

 no more food than do hybernating dormice or 

 polar bears. 



Thirdly, as an easy deduction from the foregoing 



